Self-adjusting bearing for pitmen.



L. M. BROWNING.

SELF ADJUSTING BEARING FOR PITMEN.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-3|, 19|4 1,151,339. Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

H BH wi ln wooeo LEWIS M. BROWNING, 0F BELMONT, NEW YORK.

SELF-ADJUSTING BEARING FOR PITMEN.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug, 24, 1915.

. Application filed August 31, 1914. Serial No. 859,368.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that LLnwrs M. BROWNING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Belmont, in the county of Allegany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Self-Adjusting Bearings for Pitmen, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a self adjusting bearing, which is particularly adapted for use in connection with pitmen or connecting rods applied between the crank shaft and pistons of a multi-cylinder internal combustionengine-or other form of motors.

The objects of my invention are: First, to construct a self adjusting bearing which is simple in construction, embraces a minimum number of parts, easily assembled or applied, or taken apart for inspection, and capable of being produced and maintained at a low cost. Second, to construct a bearing which is free from all; complicated constructions, will automatically and immediately take up all wear between the parts and readily adjust itself at all times and conditions of service. Third, to construct a self adjusting bearing of the type and advantages above stated, which is light in weight, while at the same time has a maximum of strength to resist the forces with which it is subjected while in operation. Fourth, other objects and advantages of operation will be apparent and fully understood from the following detailed description of the different parts and relation of said parts. 3 a

. The invention consists of structural char acteristics and relative arrangements of the different parts comprising the invention, which will be hereafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. I

Referringto the drawings in which similar reference characters indicatethe same parts in the several figures of the. drawing, Figure 1 is an end elevation of a connecting rod provided with my improved form of self adjusting bearing. Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of. the arrow a shown in Fig. 1. Fig 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow 12 shown in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 1 is the connecting rod,

- which'has been broken in sections to more clearly show the lower self adjusting bearing and my invention on a large scale. The

, upper end of the connecting rod 1, is provided with the usual opening or bearing 2, to engage a pin secured to a piston of a motor cylinder, not shown, and well understood and forming no part of the present invention. The lower end of the connecting rod 1, is so constructed and arranged as j to have on'one side a narrow depending proect1on3, and on the other and opposite side ofthe rod 1, is a wider and jaw-like projection 4:, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. At the lower end of the rod 1 and between the pro ections 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 1, is formed integrally therewith, a small wedge-shaped projection 5, for purposes to be presently described.

A curved upper bearing cap 6, separate and independent of the rod 1, and provided with the usual bushing 7, made fast thereto in the customary manner, isseated on, supported, or carried by the crank shaft 8. Said bearing cap 6, is so formed as to have a wedge-like projection 9, on its upper side, and arranged to have its right inclined side engage the lower edge of the projection 5,

on rod 1. p

10, 10 are separated lateral lugs extending from one end or side of the upper cap 6, adjacent-to the projection 3 and adapted to receive the lower end of said depending projection 3, while the other side of the cap 6, is provided with the projections 11, 11, one on each edge as shown in Figs. '1 and 2, and for purposes to be presently described.

12 is a lower cap, which is provided with a bushing 13, similarly formed and connected to the cap 12, as that of upper cap 6, and adapted to surround the lower section of the shaft 8, as shownin Fig. 1. The section of the lower cap 12, adjacent to the projection 4 of the rod 1, is provided with a lateral extension 14, provided with a depression or socket 15, which is adapted to receive the lower and properly formed end of the projection 4:, on rod 1. At the, same side or section of the lower cap12 and the extension 1 1, are provided lateral upper lugs 16, 16, one on each side, so arranged and constructed as toengage and rest on the upper side'of the projections 11, 11 of the upper cap 6, as shown in Figs. land 2.

The .parts being constructed as herein indicated, the self adjusting bearing is assembled and operates in the following manner: The'u'pper bearing cap 6 is first seated on the upper side of the shaft 8. The lower cap 12 is then placed and adjusted, as to permit the lugs 16, 16, on said lowercap 12, to rest on and engage the projections 11,11, or the upper bearing cap 6, and raise the lower cap 12, until its bushing 13, is within a small fraction of an inch of the lower side of the shaft 8. Next the connecting rod 1,

is so placed that its innerprojection 5, rests near the top of the inclined plane surface of the upper projection 9, on the upper cap 6,

whiletheside projection 8, of the rod 1 should be passed between the lugs 10,10, in the upper cap 6 and bear against the outer side of said cap 6. See Fig. 1. Thelower end of the other projection l, is passed into the socket-or depression 15, formed in the lateral extension or jaw 11 of the lower cap clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

' sion" or jaw 14, of the lower cap 12, and

projection 4:, are brought close to the shaft 8, thus insuring great rigidity and compactness of the bearing, and at the same time serving tokeep-the caps 6 and 12 from v lateral displacement,"to assure their correct operative position at all times.

The projection 3, of the'rod 1 passing down and between the separated lugs 10, 10',

on the upper cap 6, prevents side thrusts or lateral displacement of said rod 1', and

insures said rod 1. with its wedge-shaped projection 5, in proper relation with respect to the projection 9, of the upper cap 6,.and the projection 4:, with the extension 14: and recess 15, of the lower cap 12.

The parts being arranged as above described,'should downward pressurebe conveyed from thepin' 2, through the'connecting rod or pitman 1, as by the explosion of an internal combustion engine, said pressure or forcewillbe conveyed to the projectionf 5, and against the inclined surface of the projection 9, causing the. upper cap 6, to turnabout the shaft 8, in a coimter clockwise direction. The upper cap 6, be-

ing'connected to the lower cap 12, by means ,of the engaging projections 11, 11 and lugs 16, 16', the movement of said upper cap 6 will also tend toforce or drag the lower cap 12, around the shaft 8, and at the same time toward said'shaft 8, However, when I the lower cap 12 is drawn against the shaft 8, the upward pull from the points of connection at projections 11, 11, and lugs16, 16 betweenl'the upper cap 6 andlower cap 12,

causes a'twisting efiect and the lateral exten sion or jaw 14, grips the lower projection 4,

of the rod 1, preventing any further motion said 'caps j6 and12 about the shaft 8, and since the upward component of the force is applied at the points of connection between the caps G and'12, a greater forceis exerted through the jaw 14, or the projection 4:, than is exerted by-the lower cap 12 011 the shaft 8, due to the unequal distance from the point of application of said force, andgtherefore said cap 12 is forced against the shaft8 at a relatively light pressure compared to that with which the upper 6 is forced down on the shaft 8.

From the foregoing description of'operation, it'will be seen that relative light. pressure is transmitted against the lower section of the shaft S-bythe cap 12, and said cap 12 is firmly locked against downward pres V sure, because any such pressure will cause the eXtension'or jaw "11 to grip th'e projection 4:, and upward movement is impossible, thereby avoiding'the bearing from becoming loose, and locking the same securely together.- Any upward movement-or pull'on the rod l' from' the pin 2, cannotpull or disconnect the rod 1 from the caps 6and 12 for the reason thatthe surfaces of the projections 3 ands, engaging the upper cap 6 and.

lower cap 12, are not parallel, and hence the caps 6 and 12, and shaft 8, become wedged or pinched between the lower and opposite projections 3 and& of the rod 1.

- Furthermore from the detailed disclosure of construction, assembhng and operation of the invention, I have designed a bearing which is particularly adapted for use in ina ternal combustion engines, and will be self adjusting for the reason thatthe upper-cap- Y 6, and lower cap 12, comprising the bearing are automatically drawn toward and-around the shaft, and saidadjustment ceasesgwhen both caps 6and 12 are resting against the shaft'8, and that said parts are self adjusting during the upward stroke of therod.

It will also be seen that no bolts are used to secure the several parts, whereby it may be easily assembled o -taken apart without wrenches or othertools, the parts also being easily cast and machined, thereby reducing the cost to a minimum. 7 f

What Iclaim isif V, 1. A self adjustingbearingfor connecting rods or pitmen of 'explosiveengines'or other motors, comprising a r d having at one end,"mean s for engaging a pistonan'd the other end provided ,with'tw'o depending side proje'ctionsand a-projection intermediate the said projections,-an upper bearing cap independent of the rod and interposed between the two side projections and having an. upper projection adapted to impinge against the intermediate projection of the rod, a lower bearing cap supported atone end from'one endof theiupper bearing ca and provided at its supported end with an extension or jaw having formed therein a socket or recess to receive the lower end of one of the depending side projections of the rod, said upper and lower bearing caps having oppositely disposed semi-circular curved surfaces so arranged and constructed to surround and receive a crank pin of a shaft. 1

2. A self adjusting bearing for connecting rods or pitmen of explosive engines or other motors, comprising a rod having at one end means for engaging a piston and the other end provided with two depending side projections and a projection intermediate the said side projections, an upper bearing cap independent of the rod and interposed be-' tween the two side projections and having an upper projection adapted to impinge against the intermediate'projection of the rod, and two side projections, one on each side of and slidingly engaging one of the two depending side projections on the rod, a lower bearing cap supported at one end from one end of the upper bearing cap and provided at its supported end with an extension or jaw having formed therein a socket or recess to receive the lower end of the other depending side projections of the rod, said upper and lower'bearing caps having oppositely disposed semi-circular curved surfaces so arranged and constructed to surround and receive a crank pin of a shaft.

3. A self adjusting bearing for connecting rods or pitmen of explosive engines or other motors, comprising a rod having at one end means for engaging a piston and the other end provided with two depending side projections and a projection intermediate the said projections, an'upper bearing cap independent of the rod and having end supporting projections or lugs, and interposed between the two depending side projections of the rod and having an upper projection adapted to impinge against the intermediate projection of the rod, a lower bearing cap having lateral projections or lugs at one end and adapted to engage and be interposed between the supporting projections or lugs of the upper bearmg cap and provided at its supported end with an extension or jaw having formed therein a socket or recess to receive the lower end of one of the depending side projections of the rod, said upper and lower bearing caps having inner oppositely disposed semi-circular curved surfaces so arranged and constructed to surround and receive a crank pin of a shaft.

4. A self adjusting bearing for connecting rods or pitmen of explosive engines or other jections on the rod, a lower bearing cap having lateral projections or lugs at one end and adapted to engage and be interposed between the supporting projections or lugs of the upper bearing cap and provided at its supported end with an extension or jaw having formed therein a socket or recess to receive the lower end of the other depending side projections of'the rod, said upper and lower bearing caps having inner oppositely disposed semi-circular curved surfaces so arranged and constructed to surround and receive a crank pin of a shaft.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS M. BROWNING.

Witnesses:

AMY E. DAVIS, MAUDE M. BROWNING.

G'opies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. G." 

